Top spinner



July 1 1924.

E L. CAYO TOP SPINNER Filed June 29, 1922 (wail Gay $4 v /M EDWARD L. CAYO, OF BUCHANAN, MICHIGAN.

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Application filed June 29, 1922. Serial No. 571,626.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDYVARD L. (live, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buchanan, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Top Spinners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to top spinners.

More particularly it relates to that type of spinner wherein a spring is wound by relative rotation of the top in one direction to store up energy which may be used subseqcpently to rotate the top.

ne of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved top spinner.

Another object is to provide a spinner which is of novel and attractive construction and appearance.

Another object is to provide a spinner which will appeal to children.

Another object is to provide a spinner which is simple, reliable and inexpensive.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a perspective of one form of spinner and a top.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the spinner, shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a modified form of spinner.

In the embodiments illustrated the spinner is formed to resemble a pistol having a trigger to release the top for spinning.

Figs. 1 and 2 will first be described.

The top support is in the form of a pistol composed of two complementary sheet metal sections 5 and 6 which are adapted to fit together to form a grip and a tubular barrel. The sections may be secured together by rivets 7 passing therethrough. The sections are also formed to provide a trigger and latch bolt chamber 8 lying adjacent and parallel to the barrel. A ring 9 is fitted over the end of the barrel to assist in holding sections 5 and 6 together.

A coiled top spinning spring 10 is located within the pistol barrel. One end of the spring is anchored to the support by passing the same through a small hole in the barrel. The end of the spring may be bent into a small loop or eyelet 11 on the outside of the barrel to prevent its becoming loose. This small loop or eyelet contributes to the pistol appearance of the spinner since it will resemble a sight on the top of the barrel. The other end of spring 10 is free and extends slightly beyond the end of the barrel. The free end of the spring may be slightly curved toprovide a small hook 13. i i

A latch bolt 14 is slidably mounted in an projects beyond the front end of chamber 8. The forward end of bolt 14 is provided with a beveled surface 15. A coiled spring 16 biases latch bolt 14 toward its outer position as shown in Fig. 2. Spring 16 may be held in the bolt chamber by a small wood or metal plug 17. The rear edges of the bolt chamber walls may be crimped inwardly back of plug 17 to hold the same in place. The rear end of the latch bolt is bent laterally to provide a trigger 18 which prospring. 10. The upper wall of the top is provided with a series of spring receiving holes 22 and latch bolt receiving holes 28. The free end of spring 10 may be inserted in a hole 22 whereupon relative rotation of the top will wind the spring. Latch bolt 14, because of inclined surface 15, al-' lows the rotation of the top in a winding direction but drops into'a hole 23 and pre vents premature rotation in the reverse direction.

To spin the top the spindle thereof is in-. serted in the barrel of the spinner and the hook of spring 10 is fitted in one of the holes 22. The top is then rotated in a direction to wind the spinning spring. The spring biased latch bolt cooperates with holes 23 to permit the ratchet movement necessary to wind the spring and to prevent reverse rotation to prematurely unwind the same After the spring has been sufliciently wound, the pulling of, trigger 18 withdraws the latch bolt, releasing the top and allowing the same to be rotated in the reverse direction by the force stored in the spring during the windin operation.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of spinner wherein the release of the top is effected by pushing the same out of engagement with a stationary latch bolt. The pistol support may be formed from metal sections as previously described. The forward ends of the barrel portion of the sections are held together by a ring 25, which has a rigid lug 26 projecting therefrom. Lug 26 forms the latch bolt for holding the top against re verse rotation. A trigger 27 is mounted on a pin 28 riveted through the support sections. The inner end of trigger 27 lies above the. rear end of spring 10 where it may engage the end of the top spindle.

The spinning spring is wound as before, the rigid latch bolt acting to prevent premature rotation in the reverse direction. The operation of trigger 27 forces the top out of engagement with latch bolt 26 and the top is allowed to spin.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

A device for spinning a top comprising a pistol grip stock having a hollow barrel; a coiled spring within the barrel having its inner end connected to the barrel and its free end formed into a hook; a fixed stop projecting from the end of the barrel to engage a top when the stem thereof is inserted into the spring and a trigger extending transversely into said stock and pivoted thereto, its inner end in a plane above the axis of the spring, whereby to disconnect the top and stock directly by pull on the trigger.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name.

EDWARD L. CAYO. 

